Final answer:
Regardless of catalyst presence, starting materials resulting in low yields of gem-diol/hydrate do so due to intrinsic reaction properties, which align with Dalton's postulates and influence the overall percent yield in chemical synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Starting materials that provide a low yield of gem-diol/hydrate will typically do so irrespective of whether a catalyst is present. A catalyst may speed up the reaction toward equilibrium, but it does not generally affect the ultimate stoichiometry or yield as dictated by the reaction conditions and the inherent stability of the product. This is in alignment with Dalton's postulates, which state that atoms are not created or destroyed in a chemical reaction but simply redistributed.
The fundamental challenge in achieving high percent yields is often due to the limitations of the reaction pathway, side reactions, or the stability of the desired product. As such, when synthesizing complex chemicals involving many steps, each with variable yields, it’s critical to optimize each step for both speed and efficiency to minimize waste and cost.